William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 17:25 | Winning time: 4m 7.10s

Blue Lord^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 165| CD

10/1

Has made up into a top-class chaser, adding another Grade 1 victory to his tally at Leopardstown over Christmas. No match for stablemate Gentleman De Mee back at that venue in February and gave impression his stamina run dry late on in last month's Ryanair at Cheltenham. Back down in trip.

Form: 31-1128

Chacun Pour Soi¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| CD

20/1

Top-class chaser in his pomp (won this 2 years ago) and finished runner-up behind Energumene 12 months ago. Hasn't looked the force of old in handful of starts so far this campaign however, and likely set for another struggle here.

Form: U2-3393

Energumene⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 176| CD

2/7

Top-class chaser who wasted no time getting back to form and enhanced his fine strike rate with a dominant display in last month's Queen Mother Champion Chase, quickening clear entering straight and impressive. Very much the one to beat again.

Form: 211-131

Gentleman De Mee^h,t⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 167| D

13/2

Beat Edwardstone when winning an Aintree Grade 1 last spring and having failed to fire on his first 3 starts this season, got back on track in no uncertain terms when taking care of hot favourite Blue Lord in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown in February. Sound claims of making the frame.

Form: 11-U461

Magic Daze^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 146| CD

28/1

Showed a really good attitude when gaining third chase success at Naas (2m, listed) in February. Probably best not judged too harshly on her refusal to race in Mares' Chase at Cheltenham latest but she's set for a struggle in this field in any case.

Form: 81-221R

Non-Runners

Rebel Gold⁵⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: P T Foley J: D F O'Regan

Forecasts

Energumene (2/7), Gentleman De Mee (13/2), Blue Lord (10/1), Chacun Pour Soi (20/1), Magic Daze (28/1), Rebel Gold (50/1)

ENERGUMENE confirmed himself back at the very top of his game when running out an authoritative winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham 6 weeks ago and a repeat can see him follow up his win in this corresponding race 12 months ago. Gentleman de Mee, who defeated Blue Lord at Leopardstown in February, can confirm those placings and emerge as the lead threat.